Identification and antibiogram of Enterobacterales from direct urine samples using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology and disk-plate diffusion technique.

Identification and antibiogram of uropathogenic microorganisms from direct urine samples present a great clinical impact. Here, we present a combined procedure to determine identification (IDd) of bacteria through MALDI-TOF-MS technology and antibiogram (ATBd) using disk-plate diffusion technique, of UTI-producing Enterobacterales against the most used antibiotics. Ninety-four urine samples with presence of pyuria and Gram-negative bacilli were selected. The IDd showed a high success rate (90%). ATBd procedure showed a high correlation for tested antibiotics. This simplified, low cost and reduced work time two-step procedure significantly reduces results turnaround time and benefit the clinical management of patients with UTI.

Validación de un dispositivo point-of-care para la detección rápida de infección urinaria y susceptibilidad antimicrobiana / Validation of point-of-care device for rapid detection of urinary tract infection and antibiotic susceptibility

Resumen Introducción: Las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU) presentan una elevada prevalencia en el ámbito comunitario. Un rápido diagnóstico microbiológico es esencial para asegurar una terapia adecuada y efectiva. Objetivo: Evaluar un kit de antibiograma rápido (KAR®) en formato point-of-care para la detección rápida de ITU y sensibilidad antimicrobiana. Material y Métodos: El dispositivo KAR® se diseñó y desarrolló en colaboración con ingenieros técnicos y microbiólogos clínicos. Su evaluación se realizó a través de un estudio multicéntrico en el que participaron tres hospitales españoles. Para ello, se realizaron distintos ensayos in vivo con el fin de determinar la correlación del dispositivo con las técnicas microbiológicas de referencia. Resultados: Se ensayó un total de 400 muestras de orinas procedentes de pacientes con sospecha de ITU. El dispositivo KAR® proporcionó rápidos resultados (tiempo medio de positividad de 7,8 ± 1,5 h) con 97% de sensibilidad, 89% de especificidad y 87% de concordancia para la detección de bacteriuria significativa. Los porcentajes de especificidad para los antimicrobianos testados fueron: ciprofloxacina (97%), fosfomicina (94%), cotrimoxazol (84%), ampicilina (80%) y amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico (55%). Conclusión: El dispositivo KAR® puede ser una herramienta útil para el diagnóstico de ITU en pacientes ambulatorios, especialmente en áreas de bajo nivel socio-económico.

Abstract Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) presents a high prevalence in the community setting. Rapid and accurate microbiological diagnosis is essential to ensure adequate and effective therapy. Aim: To evaluate a rapid antibiogram kit (KAR®) in point-of-care format for rapid detection of UTI and antibiotic susceptibility. Methods: The KAR® device has been designed and developed in collaboration with technical engineers and clinical microbiologists. Its evaluation has been carried out through a multicenter study in which three Spanish hospitals have participated. Thus, different in vivo tests have been implemented in order to determine device correlation with the reference microbiological techniques. Results: During the study period, a total of 400 urine samples from patients with suspected ITU were tested. The KAR® device provided fast results (mean positivity time of 7,8 ± 1,5 hours) with 97% sensitivity, 89% specificity and 87% agreement for the detection of significant bacteriuria. The percentages of specificity for the antibiotics tested were: ciprofloxacin (97%), fosfomycin (94%),cotrimoxazole (84%), ampicillin (80%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (55%). Conclusion: The KAR® device could be a useful tool for diagnosing UTI in outpatients, especially in areas of low socio-economic level.

[Validation of point-of-care device for rapid detection of urinary tract infection and antibiotic susceptibility]. / Validación de un dispositivo point-of-care para la detección rápida de infección urinaria y susceptibilidad antimicrobiana.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) presents a high prevalence in the community setting. Rapid and accurate microbiological diagnosis is essential to ensure adequate and effective therapy. AIM: To evaluate a rapid antibiogram kit (KAR®) in point-of-care format for rapid detection of UTI and antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS: The KAR® device has been designed and developed in collaboration with technical engineers and clinical microbiologists. Its evaluation has been carried out through a multicenter study in which three Spanish hospitals have participated. Thus, different in vivo tests have been implemented in order to determine device correlation with the reference microbiological techniques. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 400 urine samples from patients with suspected ITU were tested. The KAR® device provided fast results (mean positivity time of 7,8 ± 1,5 hours) with 97% sensitivity, 89% specificity and 87% agreement for the detection of significant bacteriuria. The percentages of specificity for the antibiotics tested were: ciprofloxacin (97%), fosfomycin (94%),cotrimoxazole (84%), ampicillin (80%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (55%). CONCLUSION: The KAR® device could be a useful tool for diagnosing UTI in outpatients, especially in areas of low socio-economic level.

Community outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in La Ribera region of Valencia, Spain: Public Health measures. / Brote comunitario de leishmaniasis cutánea en la comarca de La Ribera: a propósito de las medidas de Salud Pública.

INTRODUCTION: Outbreaks of human leishmaniasis are not very common in Spain, despite being considered an endemic disease. In this study, a new outbreak in the Valencian Community is presented. Its principal objective is to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and to present the main Public Health measures established to contain the outbreak. METHODS: A case was defined as anyone residing in the village of Tous (in Valencian Community), diagnosed with leishmaniasis according to clinical and laboratory criteria, defined by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network, and date of symptoms onset between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. A descriptive analysis was performed on the epidemiological variables collected. RESULTS: A total of 19 cases were reported from the 28th week of 2012 to the 30th week of 2013. Adults were most affected by the disease (73%). The most common clinical form was cutaneous leishmaniasis (89%). More than three-quarters (79%) of cases were confirmed by PCR. Species typing was performed on seven samples, with the parasite Leishmania infantum being identified. Patient outcome was favourable after physical (31%), or pharmacological (69%) treatment. Some kind of residual damage was observed in 37% of cases. Different measures were applied, aimed at health professionals, and vector and reservoir control, as well as general recommendations to the population for the containment of the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: This cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak confirms the endemic nature and the high prevalence of the disease in the Mediterranean area. The most commonly used treatment was intralesional meglumine antimoniate. A comprehensive plan of action had to be developed in order to control the outbreak.

[Aetiology of candidiasis in paediatric patients: Comparative analysis with adult patients]. / Etiología de la candidiasis en pediatría: análisis comparativo con el paciente adulto.

BACKGROUND: Candida spp. represents a group of commensal yeasts that can act as pathogens and cause candidiasis in different anatomical locations. AIMS: The aim of this study was to perform an epidemiological and comparative analysis between the isolates of Candida spp. in clinical specimens during a three year-period (2010-2012) from children (0-14 years) and adults (15-99 years) in the Valencian Community (RedMIVA). METHODS: The microbiological surveillance network of Valencian Community was used as the information source. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Candida was isolated in 52,436 patients (1,604 [3.1%] children and 50,832 [96.9%] adults). Candida albicans was significantly (p<0.05) the predominant species in both age groups, and in almost every type of clinical specimen. The distribution of other species varied depending on the sample type and age group. In blood specimens, Candida parapsilosis followed by C. albicans, Candida famata and Candida lusitaniae were the main species found in children, whereas C. albicans followed by C. parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis were the predominant species in adults. In sterile fluids, urine and lower respiratory tract samples, C. parapsilosis was the second most prevalent species in the children group, while C. glabrata and C. tropicalis were the main second species in adults.

[Situation of pertussis in Valencian Community: an epidemic revival?]. / Situación de la tos ferina en la Comunidad Valenciana: ¿asistimos a una reactivación epidémica?

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease. An increasing incidence has been reported in several countries around the world in the last few years. The aim of this study is to analyze the situation of pertussis in the Valencian Community (Spain), with the purpose of verifying the increased incidence of the illness. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of probable and confirmed cases detected during 2011 was conducted. Methods used for Bordetella pertussis detection from clinical samples were: culture isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of bacterial DNA, and/or detection of specific IgM antibodies. The disease incidence and other epidemiological variables were estimated. These results were compared to data collected in previous years (2008-2010). The Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis and Microbiological Surveillance Network integrated systems of the regional Department of Health were used as sources of information. RESULTS: In 2011, 249 cases of pertussis were detected (incidence rate of 4.89×10(5) inhabitants). This rate is statistically significantly higher than those reported in 2008 (0.73×10(5) inhabitants), 2009 (0.53×10(5) inhabitants), and 2010 (0.53×10(5) inhabitants). The highest incidence rate was observed in cases younger than one year old (252.97×10(5) inhabitants), with marked differences compared to the rest of age groups. More than two-thirds (69%) of reported cases were confirmed by a laboratory test. Detection of specific serum IgM antibodies was positive in 10% of cases, culture isolation was positive in 17%, and PCR-based detection of bacterial DNA in 35% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show a clear increase of pertussis incidence in the Valencian Community during 2011.